Automatic grain-measuring apparatus



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. HUNT. AUTOMATIC GRAIN MEASURING APPARATUS.

Patented Nov, 24

m MP Wz'tne 5563:

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. HUNT. AUTOMATIC GRAIN MEASURING APPARATUS. No. 571,922..

Patented Nov. 24, 1896.

jnwewi'or:

wiinesses UNITED STATES ALVA HUNT, OF ST.

PATENT @rrrcn.

PAUL, MlNNESOTA.

AUTQMATHC GRAlN=MEASURiNG APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Eatent No. 571,922, dated November 24, 1896.

Application filed March 20, 1894:. Serial No. 504,422. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, ALVA HUNT, of St. Paul, Ramsey county, Minnesota, have invented certain Improvements in Automatic Grairr Measuring Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in grain-measuring apparatus, its object being to provide an apparatus which may be used in connection with separators in the held as well. as in connection with grain-elevators.

To this end my invention consists in a measuring-receptacle supported upon pivoted levers carrying counterbalancing-weights having a series of normally open shutters in the top and another series of normally-closed shutters in the bottom of the receptacle, the space between being of predetermined capacity. The shutters are operated by means of trip-levers, which are actuated by means of a falling weight released by the descent of the receptacle when filled, whereby the top shutters are closed and the bottom shutters opened to discharge the measure of grain. The falling of the weight also connects a hoisting device for the weight with a continuously-running source of power, whereby the weight is returned to its normal position ready to operate the tripping device again, the shutters at the top and bottom of the receptacle being at the same time returned to normal position.

The apparatus, when used in connection with separators in the field, is designed to be placed at such elevation as will enable it to discharge the measured contents into wagons or sacks.

My invention further consists in the con struction and combination hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is an iso metrical projection of the apparatus, shown attached to a separator-elevator. Fig. 2 is a detail of the measuring magazine or receptacle. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of the same. Fig. A is a detail of the trippingweight and weight-lifting mechanism. Fig.

5 is a detail of the weight-supporting catch, and Fig. 6 is a detail of the lower end of the elevator.

In the drawings, 2 represents the elevatorcase, 3 its grain-receptacle, and the opening thereto into which the grain is discharged from the separator. 5 is the discharge-spout leading from the outlet (3 of the elevator-case to the hopper 7. Power is supplied to the elevator belt from the separator by means of the pulley 8. A pulley 4% at the top of the elevator-case, driven by the elevator-belt, serves to transmit power to the weight-hoisting mechanism hereinafter described. The hopper 7 is supported by the frame pieces or arms if), and into the hopper closely fits the measuring magazine or receptacle 9. This mechanism is supported upon the levers 11, having the pivot-fulcrum 33, by means of antifriction gudgeon-rolls 15, running in slots 10 in the levers, the weight of the magazine and the measure of grain being counterbalanced by the weights S-l, adj ustably secured upon the other ends of the levers.

12 are antifriction-rolls carried by the mechanism and gearing upon the guide-rods 13 to control the movement of the magazine. The

side wall of the magazine adjacent the elevator is recessed to receive the se "les of intermeshing gears 16 and 17, mounted upon the shafts 1S and 10, suitably journaled in the walls of the magazine. These shafts carry the shutters 20 and 21, preferably of slightlyelliptical form, so as to reduce the resistance when turning in the grain. The bottom shutters 21 are preferably few in number and larger, so that when turned they offer free vent for the escape of the grain. The shutter-shafts are operated by means of the cranks 22 and 23, connected by the pitmen 24: and 25, running in guides 26 and 27 to the triplevers 31 and 32, which have the fulcrumpivot 30, supported. on. the arms 29, the springs 28 tending to hold the pitman set to keep the top shutters normally open and the bottom shutters normally closed.

39 is a weight vertically slidable on guiderods 40 and supported in raised position by means of a catch 37, carried by the vertical rod 30, the lower end of which is connected to the pivoted lever 35 and the power end of which is engaged by one of the levers 11 when turned upward by the overbalancing-weight of the magazine and its contents, whereby the catch 37 is tripped to release the weight. This weight in. falling strikes the levers 31 and 32, so as to reverse the normal position of the shutters with. which they are operatively connected, as hereinafter described. The weight 39 is hoisted to normal position. after its fall by means of the strap or cord it), connected to the winding-drum 45, which is arranged upon the horizontal shaft 41. This shaft has the loose pulley 42, connected to a continuously-running source of power, and the shaft is set in motion by means of the clutch l7, which is operated by means of the lever 50, engaging a slot 4:8 in the drum and havingapivot-fulcrum 57. his leveris bent at points 51 and 52, so as to be engaged by the weight 59 when at its top position, so that the clutch is thrown out of engagement with the drum, and at its lower position when it strikes the levers 31 and 232, so as to operate the lever to throw the clutch into engagement with the drum, thereby setting the same in motion to restore the weight to normal position. The weight in its fall also strikes the lever 51 which operates a registering device, (conventionallyindicated by at.)

In operation, the elevator belt being op erated. by means of the power applied to the pulley S, the grain is carried up and delivered from the chute 5 into the hopper 7, thence descending into the nn'igazine. When the requisite weight of grain therein has been se cured, the power ends of the levers 11 are tilted upward, one of them tripping the lever 55, thus causing the weight 39 to be released, which in its fall is arranged to strike the lever 31, thereby closing the shutters 20 in the top of the magazine, next striking the lever 32, which opens the shutters 2i, discharging the contents of the magazine. The weight also strikes the lever 53, operating the register and engaging at the bottom of its descent the bend 51 ot the lever 50, operating the lever to throw the clutch al into engagement with the winding-drum, thus operating it to hoist the weight back to its normal position, where it caught and held by the catch 37, in which position. it engages also the bend 52 of the lever, throwing the clutch out of engagement with the drum and stoppin its further revolution. When the weight 230 is lifted from the levers 31 and 32, the springs 28 return the connected parts to their normal position again, opening the shutters at the top of the magazine and closing those at the bottom. The grain as discharged from. the magazine falls into thchopper 55, thence passing through the spent so to a suitable receiving-receptacle.

I claim 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of the counterweighted magazine, the series of rotary shutters for closing the top and bottom of said magazine, the springs normally holding the bottom shutters closed and the top shutters open, the mechanism for operating said shutters, and the tripping-weight operated by the weight of the grain in the magazine to actuate said. meehanism to reverse the position of said shutters.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the COlllblllkiblOll with the chute and hopper, of the counter-weighted magazine, the series of rotary shutters for closing the top and. bottom of said magazine, the cranks and pitman for operating said shutters, the springs normally holding the bottom shutters closed and the top shutters open, the trip-levers connected to said pitman, and the trippingweight adapted to actuate said lovers to reverse the position of said shutters.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with the grain-elude and hopper, of the vertically-movable magazine arranged underneath the same, the counter balancing-weight therefordeterm ining its capacity, the series of rotary shutters in the top and bottom of said magazine, the .means for normally holding the bottom shutters closed and the top shutters open, the shutter-open ating cranks, pitman, and levers, the tripweight adapted to actuate said lovers, the means connected to the running parts of the apparatus for lifting said weight to normal position, and the catch for summrting it in such position.

t. lnan automaticgrain-measnring device, the grain-receptacle therefor,having in combination the normally open shutters at the top, the normally closed shutters at the bottom, series of succcssively-gearing cog wheels, each of which operates one oi the upper shutters, and a similar series each of which operates one of the lower shutters, reciprocating rods, each of which is attached to one of each. series of cog-wheels, and means operative to reciprocate said rods.

In an automatic measnirin device, the combination with the ineasuring-receptacle thereof, having means for subdividing oil. a certain quantity of the contents of the receptacle, of the pivoted lover or levers having on one end said measuring-receptacle and on the other weights adapted to be adjustably located on said levers so as to approximately balance the weight of the receptacle and a measure of grain therein, the trip engaged by said lover or levers, and the weight adapted to be released by said trip when so engaged and to operate to separate oil. and. discharge a certain measure of grain lfrom the nmgazine.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence oi two witnesses.

ALVA Hill I 'l.

Witnesses:

.i (J. Swnrr, F. G. Bnannunv. 

